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Antimonial Ale.
Take of the best Hungarian Antimony (grosly powder'd, and tied up in a rag) 1 pound, Fumitory and Agrimony, each 4 handfuls; put them into a bag, which hang into 4 gallons of midling Ale, after it hath done working.
I advise it to be put into the Ale after fermentation, upon the account of the Antimony. See Cancer Ale.
It's for ordinary drink against Feculencies of the blood, and cutaneous affections. Mr. Boyle infuseth Cinnaber of Antimony in Rhenish Wine, and attributes to it marvelous virtues in contumacious surgical cases.
Whatever some outlandish men may invidiously say, and others as slavishly believe, midling Ale brew'd of the best malt, boiled, fermented, depurated according to art; that hath no burnt, musty, or otherwise ill smack; that is pale, sparkling fine, fresh, and not upon the fret; and also, is of age just to leave its malty taste, grow winey, and yet not run into any degree of Sourness.
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Such liquor is the most comfortable, and coveted Drink the World perhaps ever yet found out, to pacify the loudest of nature's cries, under the tortures of a burning, hot, thirsty stomach.
For beyond all other things, it cools and moistens the parched membranes of the stomach; scoureth salt, acrid, bitter, frothy, slimy filth, from off the villae and glands; turns it over the pylorus; and leaves a balmy, benign litus instead, to keep all supple and easy. Thus, it quencheth that most unsufferable passion of thirst, refresheth the bowels, relieveth the spirits, and proves a true cordial in outragious scalding fevers.
After the good offices in the ventricle, it detergeth and openeth the mouths of the lacteals, that were almost baked up with slime; dilutes and refrigerates the blood, allays the fervent heat, and crispations of the parboil'd fibrillae, repairs all the wasts with nutritious chyme; cleanseth the minutest passages and emunctories; and helpeth the whole mass to circulate freely and duly, to nourish and cherish the parts; and to throw off its recrements by urine, and (where there is an aptitude) by sweat and spittle.
The sweeter, softer and thicker Ale is, the more it suppleth, filleth and nourisheth.
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The smarter and staler, the more it openeth and detergeth; and hops (which give it the name of beer) are for that intention such an ingredient (not bad for the stone) and so particular, that nature seems to have put it into the world for this very use, without a fellow: for when the covetous publick brewers have, in dear times, used all their endevours to find out a succedanum to it, never could they light upon any thing that would clarify, relish and preserve beer, as that doth.
Yet in rawness, windiness, weakness, and sourness of the stomach and intestines, occasioning belching, vomiting, looseness, colick: also in pleurisies, catarrhs, vagous pains, dropsies, and such affects as arise from great irritability of the fibres and nerves; and colliquation of the blood and humors: in these cases (and perhaps some more) the best Ale, by reason of its coolness, detergency, smart, pricking, cutting, and springy particles, is not adviseable: but vapid, thick, heavy, fretting, hard, sour, stale, old, strong, etc. are manifestly mischievous.
In truth the dieteticks merit handling anew. If a man of a right genius, leisure and application, were to make true
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experiments, and rational rules of life, as to the six non-naturals; he'd supply physick with one of its main desiderata; for now (as we have it in books) it's a rich field untill'd, lying all in heaps and generals; and so over-run with first and second qualities, that it produceth little or nothing of fruit in physick. I hope this may pass for an apology, for my stumbling upon a parergon at my first setting out, it being so considerable, and lying so directly in my way, that I could not get by without touching it.
Take roots of Succory, Male-fern, Liquorice, and the 5 opening roots, each 2 ounces; Harts-tongue, Liverwort, Ground-Ivy, Tamarisk-tops, each 2 handfuls; Juniper-berries, Sweet Fennel-seed, each 2 ounces; Raisins of the sun stoned 8 ounces; prepare these to be hanged in a bag in 4 gallons of Ale, to be fermented together.
The best way to fetch out the faculties of most ingredients is, to work the Ale together with them in it; for that now being run into a notable pungency and smartness, penetrates into their inmost substance, and soaks it, and makes it soft; and then the gentle intestine motion of
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fermentation knocking asunder their Vincula of mixture, they naturally fall to pieces, and separate into parts; and those parts are readily taken up into the body of the circumambient menstruum; and fill it according to its respective congruity and capacity.
But Scurvy-Grass, and such like vegetables, whose physical force lieth in a very fugitave salt, ought not to be put in 'till fermentation be past; and then must be stopped up close.
It opens obstructions, corrects torrid, acrid, salt blood, and sends off its recrements by urine. It's servicable after fevers that have vitiated the mass of blood; as also in the hot Scurvy, rickets, etc. the common dose is 1 pint twice a day.
Take Guaiacum, Sassaphras, each 1 ounce; Ground-pine, Germander, each 2 handfuls; boil in Wort (instead of Hops) from 6 to 4 gallons; into which hang the following bag of ingredients, to ferment.
Take roots of Avens half a pound, Hermodactyls 4 ounces; Agrimony, Sage, Betony, each 4 handfuls; Dodder of Thyme, Stechas flowers, each 2 handfuls; Raisins stoned half a pound, dispense according to art.
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Guaiacum, etc. give out their vertue as willingly by decoction, as fermentation; and therefore they are first boil'd, and strain'd out again, that there may be the more room in the vessel for the other ingredients.
Its us'd with laudable success in the gout, vagous pains, rheumatick affections, the dropsy, and diseases caus'd by to much, and to sharp serum, and from relaxation of the tone of the parts: let the patient off with 1 pint twice a day.
Take Roots of Comfery, Solomon's Seal, each 8 ounces; boil them in 6 gallons of very strong Wort to 4;strain it off, and when you Tun it up pour into it Juice of Plantain and Yarrow, each 1 pint; hang into it (in a Bag) Shepperd's Purse, Knot-grass, Sanicle, Mousear, each 4 handfuls, Raisins stoned 12 ounces: Let all work together.
It gives strength to the Blood, when its Compages is too lax, and soluable; conglutinates ruptur'd Vessels: Is of singular avail against pain and flux of the Hemorrhoids, all sorts of Bleedings, the Whites, immoderate Sweating, and Ichorose Ulcers.
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Take Berries of wild-briar (dried and bruised) half a pound, of Juniper 4 ounces, of Holly and Ivy, Seeds also of Daucus and sweet Fennel, each 1 ounce; Herbs of Marshmallows, Pellitory of the wall, Cleavers golden rod, each 4 handfuls, Raisins half pound; dispense these for 4 gallons.
It breaks off wind, and cleanseth the kidneys and bladder from Slime and Gravel.
Take dried Wormwood 4 handfuls, Roots of Calamus Aromaticus 1 ounce and half, Zedory 2 ounce, Spanish Angelica, Elecampane, Ginger, Galangale, Winters-bark, Cinnamon, seeds of Caraway and Coriander, each half an ounce long-pepper, Cubebs, Cardamum, Cloves, Mace, Nutmeg, each 2 drams; prepare all for 4 gallons.
It warms a cold stomach, and strengthens it when flacid, assists concoction, dissipates wind, takes off loathing, and stops vomiting. Also it exalts the blood, attenuates gross and digests crude juices, opens obstructions, and furthereth transpiration.
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Take roots of Spanish Angelica, Burdock, Filipendula, each 4 ounces; Elecampane 2 ounces, Gentian, Virginy Snake-root, each 1 ounce; Herb Robert, Ragwort, Sage, each 4 handfuls; Scordium, Rue, each 2 handfuls; live Millepeds 1 pint, crude Antimony (broken into small pieces, and tied up in a rag) 1 pound; put these in a bag for 4 gallons.
N.B. This Ale must by no means, be kept till stale and eager; and that not only upon the account of the millipedes, whose volatile Salt will be destroyed by the acid; but chiefly for the sake of the Antimony, which when unlocked by an acid, is very inclinable to turn emetic.
Let it serve for constant drink for a month together.
Take guaiacum 4 ounces; Sassaphras, roots of Sarsaparil, Sharp-pointed Docks, Filipendula, Hounds-tongue, and Walnut-tree rind, each 2 ounces; Herb Robert, Arch-angel, each 4 handfuls; Millipedes 1 pint, dispense for 4 gallons.
This may profitably be prescribed for Scrophulous people also; especially such as are of a coldish constitution.
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I have a thousand times observed (faith Sylvius) that mild alteratives are used to much more advantage just before, after, or at meals, than at any other times: For so the virtue of medicine kindly mingles with, and insinuates it self into, not only the saliva in the stomach; but also all the Humours that flow together into the right ventricle of the heart, and all the arteries, and veins; and by that means the desired emendation and correction of them, is the sooner and more easily and happily performed.
Take shavings of Guaiacum and sassaphras, each 2 ounces; boil them (instead of Hops) in small Wort from 6 gallons to 4, into which hang the following bag.
Take roots of Male Piony 8 ounces, Angelica 4 ounces; Calamus Aromaticus, Galangale, each 2 ounces; Herb Betony, Sage, Ground-pine, White Horehound, each 4 handfuls; juicy Orange peel 2 ounces; Juniper berries, Cardamum, each 3 ounces; prepare all according to Art.
It assists Chylification, and Sanguification; edulcorates the serum of the blood, corroborates the brain; depurates the spirits, extricates them from their ill-sorted
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copula, and is of use in Soporose, convulsive, and paralytick distempers.
Take filings of needles half a pound; roots of Bittersweet 1 pound, mash them well together in a marble mortar, and put them into a bag for 4 gallons.
Thus a physician of good note was wont to order it; and to these may be added Sassaphras, Juniper-berries, each 2 ounces, dried Worm-wood 2 handfuls.
Let half a pint be drank twice a day, with moderate exercise; to mend to poverty of the blood, and break through obstructions.
You may Chalybeate any sort of Ale by this easy process.
Take filings of steel 1 pound, White Tartar 4 ounces; beat them in a (not brass) mortar, pouring on by little and little juice of lemons, as much as needed to bring it into a mash; after it hath remained 12 hours, tie it up in a rag, and put it (with the other ingredients) into 4 gallons; and let it all ferment together.
Take Guaiacum, Sassaphras, each 2 ounces; roots of Madder, Smalage, Butchers-broom,
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Zedoary, each 4 ounces; Herb-Motherwort, Pennyroyal, Mugwort, each 4 handfuls; Feverfew 2 handfuls; Daucus seed 3 ounces; grains of Paradise 1 ounce; filings of steel (tied up in a rag 1 pound make a bag for 4 gallons.
When the Fermentation of the blood is grown low and languishing, this rouseth it up again afresh; concocts and incides crude, and pituitose juices; opens obstructions, procures a good habit of body, and a fresh colour. Let those that lie under a chlorosis make use of it for their ordinary drink.
Take Daucus seed 6 ounces; Raisins 12 ounces; put them into a bag for 4 gallons.
This is the proportion given by Mr. Boyle.
It cleanseth the reins and ureters, expels gravel and sand, and prevents the breeding of the stone.
It hath such a marvellous diuretick faculty, that I know a gentleman, who having drank it for ordinary drink a great many years, at length fell into a diabetes; and upon leaving it off for that reason, grew perfectly well again, and so remains at this present, tho' he
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be above 90 years old, and it's a comon thing for very aged persons to be not able to hold their water.
Take whole Mustard seed 4 ounces; put it into a quart of Ale; after 3 or 4 days begin it; and ever as you pour out a glass keep it filled up with fresh Ale; thus do as long as the seed has any strength in it.
It attenuates pituitose, fizy blood; dissolves its close contexture, and renders it fit to shed off its serum. Also it detergeth the urinary pipes, irritateth the papillae and pelvis of the reins, provoketh them to stir and squeeze, and perform the work of percolation. Thus it moves urine powerfully beyond expectation, and is convenient in the dropsy, gravel, scurvy, palsey.
Take Male-Piony roots fresh gather'd, 4 ounces; Peacocks-Dung half a pound; Raisins 12 ounces; prepare for a bag for 2 gallons.
It's held a specific against Epilepsie, and Vertigo.
Peacocks Dung is of two distinct parts, one dark coloured and chaffey, which
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consists of the undigestible Relicts of the food, and is good for nothing; the other white and uniform, which being the recrement of the blood, thrown off in the last digestion, and enriched with volatile salt, is the only part that hath virtue in it.
Take Broom ashes (sifted from the Coals) half a pound; Roots of Horse-Radish 4 ounces; Orris, Calamus, Aromaticus, Elecampane, each 2 ounces; Guaiacum, Sassaphras, Juniper-berries, Daucus-seed, each 1 ounce; Mustard-seed, 2 ounces: Prepare all for 4 gallons.
By assisting concoction, melting down the gelly'd lympha, removing obstructions, and provoking urine, it wonderfully relieves those that labor under an anasarca; but as for the dropsie, call'd ascites, and where the lymphatick vessels are burnt, I am of opinion, in these cases, 'twill do more hurt than good.
Take chips of Box wood (which the turners make) half a pound, Misseltoe minc'd pretty small, 4 handfuls; boil these in 6 gallons
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of new Wort to 4, and when you tun it up, hang it into the following ingredients.
Take fresh Male-piony roots half a pound, white Bryony 4 ounces; Herbs, Mugwort, Baulm, each 6 handfuls; Penneyroyal, Rue, each 2 handfuls; seeds of Daucus, Angelica, (or wild Parsnip) each 2 ounces; Filings of Tin, (tied up in a rag) half a pound; dispense all for a Bag.
Women obnoxious to vapours, should make it their constant drink; or at least take it 3 times a day for a good while.
Take shavings of ivory 1 ounce, white Horehound 4 handfuls; boil in 6 gallons of new Wort to 4; into which hang the under written ingredients in a bag.
Take roots of sharp-pointed Dock half a pound; Turmeric, Madder, each 2 ounces; of Nettles 4 ounces; Herbs of Celandine, Cleavers, Strawberries (leaves and roots) Barberry-rinds, each, 4 handfuls; fresh sheep's dung (ty'd up in a rag) 4 ounces; live Millepedes 1 pint; filings of steel 1 pound: prepare all fit for use.
It enriches and exalts poor watery blood, corrects crude juices, freeth the liver from obstructions, and cureth cachectic and ichteric persons.
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Take Juniper-berries (well bruis'd and broken) 4 ounces; Raisins half a pound; mix for 4 gallons.
It's very grateful both to the palate and stomach, breaks off wind, cleanseth the reins, washeth out gravel and sand; healeth the sore and tender passages, and is highly available for such as are troubled with stone or spleen.
Take roots of China 4 ounces; Sarfa, Comfrey, Liquorice, each 2 ounces; Orris, Elecampane, each 1 ounce; Shavings of Ivory, Hartshorn, Sanders yellow and red, each half an ounce; Herbs Harts-tongue, Wall-Rue, Ground-Ivy, Scabious, each 4 handfuls; Anniseed 2 ounces; Raisins half a pound: Prepare all for 4 gallons.
It may be made Cock-Ale, by adding a Cock parboil'd, bruis'd and cut into pieces.
It sweetens the Acrimony of the blood and humours, incides clammy phlegm, facilitates expectoration, invigorates the lungs, supplies soft nourishment, and is very profitable even in a consumption it self, if not too far gone.
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Take roots of sharp-pointed Dock 12 ounces; Polypodium 4 ounces; Horse-Radish 2 ounces; Herbs, Ground-Ivy, Water-Cresses, Brook-lime, Scurvy-Grass, each 2 handfuls; Sassaphras, Juniper-Berries, Coriander-Seeds, Liquorice, each 1 ounce; Senna 4 ounces; Raisins half a pound: Make all these fit to put into 4 gallons. To these may be added, Rheubarb 2 ounces.
Those that are scorbutick, Cachectic, and abound with Humours, and faeculencies, may drink a pint of it (more or less) every Morn in the spring for a week or two, with good advantage.
Le Mort tells us, that Purging-Drinks purge little or nothing, if kept till stale and soure.
Take roots of sharp-pointed Dock 8 ounces; Polypodium, Ellecampane, each 4 ounces; Sanders, yellow and red, Juniper-Berries, each 2 ounces; Caraway-seeds 1 ounce; Herbs Scabions 8 handfuls; Liver-wort, Agrimony, each 4 handfuls; Senna 4 ounces; Rheubarb half an ounce; Agaric 1 ounce; Crude Antimony (grosly bruised, and tied up in a
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rag) 1 pound, dispense for a bag for 4 gallons, to which (when in the vessel) add juice of Fumitory 1 pint: Ferment all together.
For the itch, and all cutaneous maladies.
Take roots of common Flower de Luce 4 ounces; Horse Radish 2 ounces; Elecampane, Squills, each 1 ounce; Mustard seed, Juniper-berries,sassaphras, each 2 ounces; Winters Cinnamon half an ounce; inner rind of Elder, and dwarf Elder, each 2 ounces; Senna 4 ounces; black Hellebore root, Jalap, agaric, each half an ounce; dispense for 4 gallons.
It contains ingredients (besides the Catharticks) of subtle parts, which referate obstructions, and force Urine. It's exactly suited for the cure of a dropsie, and is to be drank every morning, from half a pint to a pint.
Take fine Rhubarb (cut into thin slices) 2 drams; Liquorice, Aniseed, each 2 scruples; Raisins stoned and shred 30 or 40: Put them into a glass bottle of Ale holding a quart.
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It purgeth kindly, without gripes or sickness, takes off the slipperiness of the venticle and intestines, and leaves them stronger then before. It's a mortal enemy to Worms; and is given to 2 ounces, more or less, and to very young children in proportion.
Take roots of Osmond Royal (or for want of it, Male fern) Liquorice, Sassaphras, each 1 ounce, Bark of Ash and Ivy, each half an ounce; Tamarisk-tops, Harts tongue, each 4 handfuls; live Woodlice 250, Raisins 4 ounces; prepare all for 1 gallon.
It may well go for a specific in this distemper, and should be drunk for constant drink.
True Rickets are seldom rife, but in those years when Autumnal Agues reign: Which is worth observing, faith Sydenham. The Rickets were scarce heard of 'till the year 1630, and were not mention'd in the Bills of Mortality, 'till the year 1634, and then but 14 for that whole year, from which time, they increas'd, so as to be 521 in the year 1660. And now they are decreas'd again; and perhaps may in some years (like a Comet) quite disappear.
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Take midling Ale 1 quart; Spirit of Scurvy grass 2 drams; Juniper berries 1 dram; Sweet fennel seed, Liquorice, each half a dram; Raisins 2 drams; keep it in a glass bottle. To these may be added Horse-Radish root 2 scruples; Winters cinnamon 4 scruples.
You may make as many and as few as you please, at a time, so as to have them fresh one under another.
It's in virtues much one with the warm scorbutick Ale, easilier prepar'd, but perhaps somthing inferior in virtue.
Take Pine (or Firr) tops cut 4 handfuls; boil them in 5 gallons of very strong Wort to 3 gallons and a half; when its tunned up, pour into it the juices of Brooklime, Water-cresses, Dandelion, Cleavers, each 1 pint; also hang into it the following bag of ingredients, and work all together.
Take roots of sharp pointed Dock 4 ounces; Sarsa, China, Juniper-berries, each 2 ounces; Shavings of Sanders yellow and red, Harts-horn, Ivory, Liquorice, Sweet fennel-seed, each 1 ounce; Harts-tongue, Liverwort,
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Agrimony, Ground-Ivy, each 2 handfuls; Crude Antimony 1 pound: Prepare all rightly.
It brings adult, fervid blood to a temper; quieteth it when in a furious ferment; refrigerateth the Hypochondria when enraged, and restraineth the Ebullition and inordinate (greek) of the vaporous blood and humours therin. It in a singular manner respects the hot Scurvy, and Hypochondriac affections: And is to be used for constant drink.
Take roots of sharp-pointed Dock half a pound; Horse-radish 2 ounces; Guaiacum 4 ounces; Juniper-berries, Orange peel, each 1 ounce; Winters bark, Mustard seed, Long pepper, Cloves, each 2 drams; Raisins 4 ounces; Scurvy grass, Brooklime, Water cresses, Cleavers, each 4 handfuls: prepare all for 4 gallons.
It concocts Scorbutick crudity, dissolves Saline concretions, washes away Pituitose feculencies, restores due mixture to the blood, makes it to circulate freely through the minutest passages, and is suited to such as are of a cool constitution.
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Take Chips of Guaiacum, Sassaphras, Walnut-tree rinds, roots of sharp pointed Dock, Filipendula and Hounds-Tongue, each 2 ounces; Herb Robert, Arch-Angel, each 4 handfuls; Raisins of the sun stoned 1 pound; live Millepedes 1 pint: Prepare all for 4 gallons.
Its good against a Cancer, and Cutaneous affections; but singularly, and specifically respects the King's Evil.
Take Guaiacum, Sassaphras, each 2 ounces; boil them in water 1 gallon to 2 quarts; put the strained liquor into a cask with new strong Ale 3 gallons and a half; and hang a bag into it with the following ingredients to work together.
Take roots of sharp pointed Dock 8 ounces; Horse-radish 4 ounces; Ash-tree bark 2 ounces; Juniper berries 1 ounce; Seeds of Daucus and coriander, each half an ounce; Agrimony, Liverwort, Harts Tongue, Tamsrisk tops, each 4 handfuls: Prepare all to be put into a bag.
It removes Atrabilarious Humours stagnating in the Viscera, and causes them to be absorp'd by the circulating mass: It
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openeth the obstructions, and discusseth the Tumours of the spleen, quieteth and supresseth convulsive corrugations of Fibres; and upon these accounts, admirably relieveth Hypochondiac persons, if they continue its use as daily drink, for a long time.
Take Barks of Tamarisk 4 ounces; of Capers and Ash-tree, Woods of Guaiacum, Sassaphras, each 1 ounce; Herbs of Agrimony 4 handfuls; Wormwood, Dodder, each 2 handfuls; cut and boil these in 6 gallons of new Ale to 4 gallons, into which hang Filings of Needles half a pound; Crude Antimony 4 ounces.
When it hath Fermented enough, and is become clear, give half a pint twice a day.
Take Guaiacum, Sassaphras, each 2 ounces; yellow and red Sanders, Ivory, Harts-horn, Sarsa and China, each 1 ounce; Liquorice, Anniseed, Juniper berries, each 2 ounces; Raisins half a pound; Antimony (broken into small pieces, and tied up in a rag) 1 pound: Prepare all for 4 gallons.
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It warmeth and drieth: Concocteth crude, attenuateth gross, incideth viscid, abstergeth clammy, and disperseth watery humours. Also it increaseth persperation, and is very proper and fit in any cold, pituitose and rheumatick malady: As also in serous, Oedatose tumours and running ulcers.